Tag Archives: hotel safety

It’s conference season, at least that’s how it seems. Between March and August there are quite a few writing conferences that are taking place, so now seemed liked a great time to offer a few helpful tips to make all your conferences fun and successful.

Have business cards at the ready. They don’t need to be elaborate, just something simple with your name and contact information on it. You can make them yourself or get them printed inexpensively at places like GotPrint.com or VistaPrint.com.

Dress professionally and comfortably. Consider wearing layers. There is no happy medium when it comes to temperature at many of these conference sites. The best thing you can do is to have layers so that you’ll always be able to make yourself comfortable.

Don’t be afraid to mingle and make connections, but be sure to pay attention to social cues. You don’t want to accidentally cut in on an important discussion.

Even if you aren’t taking an editor/agent appointment have a pitch for your current work in progress ready to go. You never know whom you’ll wind up chatting with and what can come from that interaction. Remember editors and agents are people too. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true.

Be mindful of your alcohol consumption.

Most importantly, enjoy yourself and let your creative juices be replenished by interacting with other writers.

Navigating your way around the conference is only part of the adventure. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe en route to the conference and while staying in the event hotel.

If possible travel with at least one travel companion.

Never tell anyone that you are traveling alone. If someone persistently asks, don’t hesitate to lie.

If attending a conference do not wear your name badge when you leave the event hotel.

Like this:

In light of the approaching vacation season, here’s a repost of these great tips on hotel safety from Kathleen Kuck, who guest blogged for Attacking the Page in September. I would never have thought of some of these tips. Thanks, Cass!

Look at user type of reviews on line to see if this hotel is in a good neighborhood. Most reviews include some of the safety of the area and what they saw as problems.

Ask someone in the area you might know for recommendations for a safe hotel.

Ask if the room will have a peep hole and a deadbolt lock. Bar lock is a plus also.

If you are a female traveling alone book your room under MR. and MRS. or just 1st initial.

Tell the check in clerk to write room number down and to not announce it to the lobby.

Try not to be on the ground floor with windows that open to the outside.

Try to get a room that faces interior hallways or courtyard not the parking lot.

Don’t use any public area computers for personal or secure internet things. Many business center computers are vulnerable to keyloggers and pose a great risk.

Don’t leave your laptop in your room unless you must and then only with a cable lock. Set a password for your computer prior to leaving it if you don’t have one set. If a crook can get access to your computer he can get all the info off of it quickly. Cable lock computer and then put it in the computer bag and lock the bag.

Most WI-FI’s at the hotels are not real secure and nothing should be sent that is secret.

Never open up your door to any stranger and use all the locks on the door while in room.

Don’t open the door just because someone says security or maintenance. Get the employee’s name and call the front desk to confirm before opening the door.

Avoid giving out your room number to anyone you meet in the bar or the trip.

Avoid leaving jewelry or credit cards in the room.

Crooks only need to write down your credit card number and your security code.

Employees do have a way to open the safe in the room.

Some offer safety deposit boxes at the counter. Employees might have access still.

Look at user type of reviews on line to see if this hotel is in a good neighborhood. Most reviews include some of the safety of the area and what they saw as problems.

Ask someone in the area you might know for recommendations for a safe hotel.

Ask if the room will have a peep hole and a deadbolt lock. Bar lock is a plus also.

If you are a female traveling alone book your room under MR. and MRS. or just 1st initial.

Tell the check in clerk to write room number down and to not announce it to the lobby.

Try not to be on the ground floor with windows that open to the outside.

Try to get a room that faces interior hallways or courtyard not the parking lot.

Don’t use any public area computers for personal or secure internet things. Many business center computers are vulnerable to keyloggers and pose a great risk.

Don’t leave your laptop in your room unless you must and then only with a cable lock. Set a password for your computer prior to leaving it if you don’t have one set. If a crook can get access to your computer he can get all the info off of it quickly. Cable lock computer and then put it in the computer bag and lock the bag.

Most WI-FI’s at the hotels are not real secure and nothing should be sent that is secret.

Never open up your door to any stranger and use all the locks on the door while in room.

Don’t open the door just because someone says security or maintenance. Get the employee’s name and call the front desk to confirm before opening the door.

Avoid giving out your room number to anyone you meet in the bar or the trip.

Avoid leaving jewelry or credit cards in the room.

Crooks only need to write down your credit card number and your security code.

Employees do have a way to open the safe in the room.

Some offer safety deposit boxes at the counter. Employees might have access still.